The invitation arrived on a morning veiled in mist.
Delivered by a jade-winged crane that descended directly onto the Heavenly Summit Sect's courtyard, the envelope was sealed with imperial red wax bearing the emblem of the Cloud Empress's household.
Lin Fan had been sitting cross-legged on a boulder, meditating under the drizzle, trying to expunge the lingering memory of Mu Lanyue's final smile.
But the letter's arrival interrupted him—and so did Hei Long's voice, smooth and amused, like a knife through wet paper.
"Looks like we've been summoned, junior brother," Hei Long said, plucking the scroll from the crane's beak with the familiarity of a man who expected such honors.
"A royal request for protection. An escort mission, high priority. How quaint."
Lin Fan slowly opened his eyes, the drizzle clinging to his lashes like tears he refused to shed. "Who?"
Hei Long's smile widened as he unsealed the scroll and read aloud, his voice mocking even in formality:
